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Bruce came to personal finance writing the old fashioned way: he didn't have much money, but wanted to do cool things. Clearly, some creativity was in order. From traveling around Europe to paying for a wedding, moving to New York to raising a child, he's figured out how to have fun without spending much money. In the process, he's also learned a few things about how politics and economics can help (or hurt) middle class finances. As DailyFinance's senior features writer, Bruce gets to combine his two favorite things: learning how the world works and explaining what he's learned to his readers.

For the past two months, the city of El Paso Texas has been experimenting with a four-day work week. By adding two hours per day to employee schedules, the city has been able to squeeze forty hours into the first four days of the week, leaving Friday free. Earlier today, the city announced that the program, which has saved $100,000 in energy bills, will be extended through September 4.

El Paso is only one of many municipalities that have decided to test out the four-day work week. The leader has been Utah, which switched to the new schedule earlier this summer. The state is on track to keep the system going indefinitely, citing massive decreases in energy expenditure and overwhelming employee support.
Unsurprisingly, most discussion of the issue has focused on conservation. According to Utah state officials, the altered schedule has made it possible to close many offices on Fridays, resulting in a 13 percent reduction in energy usage. Governor John Huntsman predicted that this would save the state $3 million in 2009; although falling oil and gas costs have scaled down that estimate, the state's savings should still be considerable. Huntsman emphasizes that the program should help the state reach its goal of a 20 percent drop in energy usage by 2015.

On a broader societal context, the shift to four days should be even more impressive. As they have compacted the work week, state offices have extended their hours on Monday through Thursday. This, in turn, has made things easier for customers on a normal 9-5 schedule; rather than having to skip work in order to transact business with government offices, they can now visit after work. According to some sources, lines have even disappeared at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Of course, not everybody is a fan of the new policy. In particular, employees with small children have complained about difficulties finding extended day care. However, most employees have enjoyed having the three day weekend, even at the expense of a more traditional 8-hour workday. With an 82 percent approval rating among state employees, it seems likely that the program will not be canceled for lack of worker support.

In fact, the combination of employer cost savings and employee enthusiasm has made this program attractive to a variety of businesses. With GM already planning to shift some of its factories to a four-day week, it seems like this trend is only beginning to gather steam. Stay tuned for the permanent three-day weekend!

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)

This is a joke. Seems the idiots in charge fail to realize that busniess's that are open on weekends, holidays and now Friday's will see an increase in customers on Friday's resulting in longer hours for those retail, entertainment and services establishments meaning an increase operating costs and energy usage which certainly use up just as much or more that is saved by a four -day work week for government offices. Fridays are traditionally the businest business day of the week and in my world, Friday is the most common day to get government related business matters taken care of. Employees who work in retail, entertainment and service section do not get three days off, most are lucky to get one day a week off. I work in such a business and have never had a week-end or holiday off in over 14 years. And NO I do not get paid for all those extra hours since I am salaried and work more than 65 hours a week. The idea of Friday;s off is nothing short of a ploy to give workers more time off work - It has no real value in overall cost savings to any business.

True. Some places like restaurants and stores do most of their business on the weekends, so that is when most of their employees work.
Out here we are having work furloughs and dmv closures on some Fridays, and it doesn't affect most people since you can renew by mail or register a vehicle at AAA. You only need to go in for a few things, and can make appts. for those.
It would depend on the employer and whether a four day work week works for them.

I worked at a restaurant, several actually, and working the weekend and evenings that were busiest was great for a student. It was ideal. The managers, yes, they work a lot of hours. But that's management.

Ever stop to think that employers can give people a choice of days off? I worked with people who wanted Friday, some wanted Monday, and others wanted Wednesday,etc. Truthfully, most retail outlets, restaurants and manufacturing facilities run 24/7 anyway. This simply provides more jobs (think about it), and gives employees a greater sense of value.

I will agree in part but also disagree in part. The 4 day work week would work well in government if they split the week differently saying Monday thru Thursday and Tuesday thru Friday giving each a three day weekend. Also it would keep offices open so more can use them after thier 9-5 jobs. Saving would come from transportation cost since alot of government people use government cars. Wear and tear on vechiles Energy savings in a build is misleading to an extent. Still heat and cool a building 7 days a week maybe not as cool or heated but still used. So government is misleading you there.

My husband works in a public school, and the numbers showed they would save a substantial amount of money on heating and cooling if they went to a four-day school week and closed the school on the weekends. However, it was never implemented because of negative attitudes like yours, and (heaven forbid!) closing the school on the weekends might interfere with sports practices. Change will only take place when people get out of their mindset of "It's always been this way and it won't work any other way."

THIS PERSON IS AN IDIOT, JUST BECAUSE THIS PERSON DOESNT UNDERSTAND OR GETS THE WEEKENDS OFF , SOUNDS LIKE A PERSONAL PROBLEM MAYBE U SHOULD GO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT. 4 DAY WORK WEEKS ARE GREAT FOR BUSINESS AND FAMILIES, TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT !

Check the laws for your state. Being salary does not exempt most people from being paid overtime, usually only executives. Also, even if you don't get paid overtime, you may still be due to be paid for the extra hours at 1X pay. Many employers count on employee ignorance (or don't even know the laws themselves). "Salary" does not mean exempt from being paid beyond 40 hours. Generally only those with some equity in a company (leadership team) can legally work unpaid, as it is assumed they are working on speculation of company growth rewarding them via equity. Call around to employment lawyers and ask at your state's equivalent to Dept. of Industrial Relations. Filing a complaint with the D. of I. R. is equivalent to a lawsuit and you don't need a lawyer to do it, nor does it cost money. Good luck. Don't let employers take advantage of you.

The four day work week in the workplace is about 30 yrs overdue. I would of liked that when I was working. I tried to introduce the idea to my union, they didn't go for it. Any employer and or union that doesn't go for this idea is backwards.

The four day work week is great if you are a laborer. I worked as a maintainance of way employee for Conrail back in the late 70s & 80s ,and they started four day work weeks in1979. They are especially good if you travel.
The monday holidays are a plus too. If a person is salary no harm no foul; if hourly the two hours off the gross income is offset by taxes (it,s ten totwentyfive dollars on the take home).Who can,t handle the occational THREE day work week.

THE FOUR DAY WORK WEEK WAS INTRODUCED IN EUROPE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. IT ALSO SAYS NO OVERTIME AND THE ECONOMY HAS FLOURISHED AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS DROPPED DRAMATICLY. WE ARE ALL TRYING TO KILL OURSELVES TO EARN A LIVING. THINK ABOUT LESS STRESS. LETS GET A CHANGE FOR OUR LIVES AND OUR CHILDREN.

Europe,s economy is hardly flourishing, what rock is your head under or are you an Obmamanite that thinks socialism is the way to go. At anyrate the european economy has been in the tank for years and even as we are discussing this, unemployment is in the double digits.

i cant agree with doing the same thing to schools, i am a junior currently and adding hours to the end of school will put us getting out at or after dark in the winters. i for one play golf after school each day, so it wouldnt be too good for me.

They do do it in schools, smaller schools, and have been doing it for over 30yrs!! I've been out for 20 yrs and we started the 4 day when I was in middle school. Our elementary, middle and high school were all in the same building. We went Tues thru-Fri..it was great!! We didn't get a Spring break, but nobody cared when you always had a 3 day weekend.